On Thursday, September 12th at 7PM, Purple Turtle Productions and event co-sponsors, IYRS School of Technology and Trades, will host the premiere of Episode 1 of The Boatbuilders at The JPT Film and Event Center. The Boatbuilders is a documentary series that explores the rich legacy and present-day impact of the boatbuilding community in the northeastern United States. The premiere episode highlights […]
Music & Entertainment
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, News
Jack Russell, lead singer of band Great White who was onstage during horrific ’03 concert fire, dies
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Jack Russell, the lead singer of the bluesy ’80s metal band Great White whose hits included “Once Bitten Twice Shy” and “Rock Me” and was fronting his band the night 100 people died in a 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island, has died. He was […]
Posted inBusiness
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
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Newport Sings offers choral singing opportunities for youth and adults in Newport County
Newport Sings offers free or very low-cost chorus program opportunities for youth and adults. All programs are open to the public and do not require an audition. Newport Sings offers three distinct programs for singers of all ages and backgrounds: – The Newport County Youth Chorus is open to grades 1-6 students. – Aquidneck […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Ocie Elliott, Canadian duo on playing the Newport Folk Festival
By Ken Abrams and Anna Lofgren The 2024 Newport Folk Festival is fondly remembered for headliners like Joan Baez, Conan O’Brien, and Gillian Welch. But as always, first-time artists serve to steer the historic festival in new directions, keeping things fresh while honoring the folk tradition. One of the standout acts at the July festival […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Norman Bird Sanctuary invites the community to celebrate 50th Anniversary Harvest Fair in October
The Norman Bird Sanctuary has much to celebrate in 2024, including the 75th anniversary of the organization’s founding and the 50th anniversary of its beloved Harvest Fair on October 5 and 6. Norman Bird Sanctuary’s Harvest Fair is a family-friendly weekend full of traditional New England games, crafts, competitions, and seasonal fare. Attracting more than 10,000 attendees […]
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Newport Classical to host two fall community concerts
Newport Classical has announced that it will host two free community concerts this fall, featuring Fulton Chamber Players and Bridge & Wolak. A concert with Fulton Chamber Players will occur at 2:30 pm on September 8, 2024, at Newport Craft Brewing, and Bridge & Wolak will perform on October 6, 2024, at Newport Classical Recital […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport’s legendary NEE Jam takes over the King Park Gazebo for NIMFest on Sunday
One of Newport’s best-kept musical secrets over the past two years has been The NEE Jam at the Firehouse Theater on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Hosted by North End Entertainment and the New England Music Organization, the NEE Jam is a celebration of live music featuring an amazingly talented house band […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Lobby Muddy Fest celebrates 5th Anniversary in Newport
Lobby Muddy Fest is thrilled to celebrate its 5th anniversary this year. This beloved local event is New England’s only lobster roll and mudslide festival for charity. What began as a casual Sunday ritual at O’Brien’s Pub has transformed into a powerful community gathering and official 501c3 nonprofit since 2021, raising significant funds for mental […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Judy Collins coming to Jane Pickens August 15-16 – We revisit our 2022 interview with legendary singer-songwriter
Note: This interview was originally published in July 2022. It has been updated. Click here for tickets to see Judy Collins at Jane Pickens Film and Event Center. So what do you ask a folk music icon who inspired one of the greatest love songs of all time? That was my challenge recently as I […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty is coming to The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center
The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center will present The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty on Thursday, April 3, at 8 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 16 at 10 am www.theparkri.com or by calling 1-800-657-8774. Debuting the band in August of 2019 in Newport, RI, to an emotional and packed house, the Breakers proved to […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up Interview: Malcolm Bruce, of Sons of Cream, playing the Greenwich Odeum Sunday, August 18
They were one of the great bands of the 1960’s, a supergroup that continues to influence the direction of modern music. Cream was a groundbreaking power trio featuring three rock legends – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. Now, a new band comprised of two children and a grand-nephew of the original members is […]
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Livingston Taylor returns to Newport, will perform at The JPT on December 20
Livingston Taylor, the esteemed singer-songwriter from Boston, is coming to The JPT Film & Event Center in Newport. Mark your calendars for Friday, December 20, at 7:30 pm, as Taylor returns to delight audiences with his captivating music. Spectacle Live, which will present Livingston Taylor, provided the following background on Mr. Taylor; Boston local, Livingston […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The JPT will celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘The Heart of Hip Hop’ on Aug. 20
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) celebrates the 25th anniversary of the acclaimed documentary The Heart of Hip Hop on August 20. The film features Newport’s first and only hip-hop dance troupe, Off The Curb. Founded by Jackie Henderson in 1992, Off The Curb was a youth outreach program dedicated to using hip-hop dance to inspire self-expression […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Trolley and Gallery Night: An exciting, but developing initiative
On Thursday night, I checked out Art Trolley and Gallery Night in Newport, a fairly new event with the purpose of providing a platform for the many galleries throughout the City by the Sea. Managed by the Newport Artists Collective, the effort is meant to bolster the thriving Newport art scene in ways that artists […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
What’s Up this week in Newport County: August 12 – 18
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Monday, August 12 – Sunday, August 18, 2024. Please note – weather and other circumstances may cancel or change the location of an event at any time. Please check with event organizers to confirm an event’s status. This story […]
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What’s Up Interview: Meet Mark Stickney, Founder of Historic Music of Newport
Newport’s contemporary summer music scene is dominated by three internationally known festivals: Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and Newport Classical. But the city’s musical heritage runs deep. Live music on the island is a tradition going back almost two hundred years, when classical musicians and military bands entertained summer visitors and year-round residents. One organization working […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Families In Motion: Free family music event coming to Newport on Aug. 25
Puddingstone Music Series is set to host its first-ever free family event, “Families in Motion,” on Aug. 25 at St. Columba’s Chapel in Middletown, Rhode Island. The event, scheduled for 3 p.m., promises an exciting blend of music, dance, and acrobatic performances suitable for all ages. Weather permitting, activities will take place both outdoors on […]
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Summer fun awaits at Aquidneck Night Out on August 8
It’s time to get ready for some summer fun at the Aquidneck Night Out event on August 8, 2024. This event is for children under 12 and their families and will be held down at Easton’s Beach from 5 to 7 p.m. This is a free event where children can learn about safety, face painting, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island International Film Festival kicks off at PPAC
The Rhode Island International Film Festival kicked off last night at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The festival takes place through August 11 at different venues across the state and features films from around the world. Opening night included attendees from South Africa, Belgium, and Spain, with many guests visiting Rhode Island for the first […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
R&B band “The 40” to headline Newport’s NIMFest Concert Series
Newport’s NIMFest Concert Series is set to rock King Park Gazebo this Sunday with headliner “The 40,” a New England R&B band known for their electrifying performances. The free outdoor concert, scheduled for Aug. 11 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., promises an afternoon of rhythm and blues that will have fans dancing and singing […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment, Things To Do
Jesse Cook to perform at The JPT Film & Event Center
Jesse Cook, a renowned Nuevo Flamenco guitarist, is set to perform at The JPT Film & Event Center in Newport on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event, presented by Spectacle Live, go on sale Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. Cook’s upcoming performance showcases his 25-year career as a guitarist, composer, producer, arranger, […]
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What’s up in Newport this week: Aug. 6 – 11
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport, Rhode Island, this week/weekend, Tuesday, August 6 – Sunday, August 11, 2024. This story will be updated throughout the week as we learn of events, meetings, and listings, so please check back often. Do you have something to add to this list or […]
Posted inBusiness
The Stadium at Tidewater Landing partners with Grand Rising Curations for event programing
The Stadium at Tidewater Landing announced today a long-term partnership with Grand Rising Curations that will transform Rhode Island FC’s future home into a multi-purpose venue. Upon its completion at the start of the 2025 USL Championship season, the state-of-the-art development will be able to host concerts and festivals. “The Stadium at Tidewater Landing will be the […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Music & Entertainment
Middletown’s DeBlois Gallery celebrated 40 years: Fortyssimo
Situated in a prime location right at the entrance into Newport, on Aquidneck Avenue near Easton’s Beach, the DeBlois Gallery just celebrated 40 years with champagne toasts and lots of great conversation among Aquidneck Island’s and Southern New England’s artists. Previously located on Bellevue Avenue, DeBlois weathered the move to the accessible location next to […]